Environmental policy: Action crucial to build on legislative momentum

Oregonians have a long history of prioritizing our environment and making decisions that leave a healthy, lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren. We're proud to report that this year's legislative assembly adhered to that tradition.

As a result of actions in Salem, Oregon will create marine reserves that protect fish and ocean habitat, ensure that critical clean air and clean water programs are intact at the Department of Environmental Quality, and continue to invest in homegrown renewable energy. The Legislature also passed bills to protect your health by reducing exposure to toxic lead and mercury -- chemicals that can lead to a host of serious health problems -- and rejected a measure that would have required a minimum of 85 percent of harvestable timber to be cut every year from state lands.

We applaud our legislative leaders and Gov. John Kitzhaber for making hard choices that position Oregon's economy and environment on an upward course.

Now comes the hard work. Building on this momentum will be crucial to ensuring that we maximize our natural resources and reverse troubling trends that, if left unaddressed, will have disastrous consequences for our state. As leaders of the environmental community, we would like to see three areas in particular become statewide priorities for 2013 and beyond: ensuring clean and abundant water, reducing environmental toxics, and building sustainable rural economies.

Oregon's water supplies are currently stretched to the limit, with water rights fully appropriated in parts of the state. Furthermore, every one of Oregon's 10 largest rivers violates Clean Water Act standards, and pollution continues to threaten groundwater resources that sustain 600,000 Oregonians. The Columbia River withdrawal conversation illustrates the crucial need to make water conservation and efficiency a priority in water resource planning, especially within the agricultural community that uses four-fifths of Oregon's total water withdrawals. Reducing runoff pollution will also help ensure we all have access to not only plentiful but clean water for years to come.

Though water continues to be a top environmental priority for Oregonians, another significant concern that affects a large part of the population is environmental toxics. Linked to learning disabilities, reproductive problems and other harmful health issues, environmental toxics are found in a number of everyday products, from plastics to makeup and household cleaners. Multnomah County began to address this issue by implementing a BPA ban in select children's products last fall, and our neighbors in Washington state have gone a step further by identifying 66 chemicals of concern that manufacturers must disclose in children's products. Oregon would be wise to follow suit.

We can also support innovative homegrown businesses and research centers utilizing green chemistry to create non-toxic products by prioritizing safer products in our state purchasing decisions.

Finally, with natural resource-dependent rural economies struggling, and some on the verge of bankruptcy, we need to find ways to value and compensate these communities for the economic benefit they provide to the state in terms of clean water, flood control and wildlife habitat. Putting Oregonians back to work and protecting our valuable natural resources can and should be goals that run in tandem. Developing new tourism opportunities can play a role in preserving the environment while also supporting and, in many cases, enhancing the quality of life throughout our state.

Oregon is deservedly a national leader when it comes to progressive environmental policy. But it would be a mistake to rest on this reputation and waste the opportunity to address today's pressing local issues such as water, toxics and building sustainable rural economies. Let's take the legislative gains we've realized this session and use this momentum to secure a thriving legacy for our state -- one that is sure to pay dividends to all Oregonians down the road in any political or economic climate.

Andrea Durbin is executive director of the Oregon Environmental Council. Doug Moore is executive director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.